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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: Javier Cinakowski on September 18, 2006, 02:03:48 PM

Title: Impedance Speaker/Amp question
Post by: Javier Cinakowski on September 18, 2006, 02:03:48 PM
Ok, so I am currently running a set of 8ohm speakers powered by a 4ohm amp. 

I am not getting as much volume as I would prefer.   So I was thinking that if I hooked up a set of my crappy 4ohms speakers in parallel with the 8ohms I would reduce the overall impedance and give me more volume. 

My question is will I get more volume by just running the 8ohms speakers, or will I get more by running both speakers in parallel.

make sense?  if so please respond with your thoughts!!  Thanks. 

Also, I know that running a 4ohm speaker on a 8ohm reciever is bad, but is a 8ohm speaker on a 4ohm amp bad? 

 ???
Title: Re: Impedance Speaker/Amp question
Post by: BC on September 18, 2006, 02:42:25 PM
I am not getting as much volume as I would prefer.   

Is the volume control maxed out? I am surprised that you are not able to get enough volume.


but is a 8ohm speaker on a 4ohm amp bad? 


I  think it should be ok, I thought lower impedances were tougher to drive (require more current) so I don't see why giving the amp an easier load would be a problem.
Title: Re: Impedance Speaker/Amp question
Post by: ethan on September 18, 2006, 02:45:05 PM
I am not getting as much volume as I would prefer.   

Is the volume control maxed out? I am surprised that you are not able to get enough volume.


Time to record at higher levels?
Title: Re: Impedance Speaker/Amp question
Post by: KenH on September 18, 2006, 04:48:28 PM
Ok, so I am currently running a set of 8ohm speakers powered by a 4ohm amp. 

I am not getting as much volume as I would prefer.   So I was thinking that if I hooked up a set of my crappy 4ohms speakers in parallel with the 8ohms I would reduce the overall impedance and give me more volume. 

My question is will I get more volume by just running the 8ohms speakers, or will I get more by running both speakers in parallel.

make sense?  if so please respond with your thoughts!!  Thanks. 

Also, I know that running a 4ohm speaker on a 8ohm reciever is bad, but is a 8ohm speaker on a 4ohm amp bad? 

 ???


I think the 8ohm speaker has twice the resistance of a 4 ohm speaker, so i'd expect the 4 ohm power signal to produce 50% of the power.  Similarly, if you run speakers in parallel, say, 2x4 ohm, then you double the resistance up to 8 ohms.  Ideally you want to power 4 ohm speakers off a 4 ohm amp. 

I know that w/ a 4-ohm amp, like for a car amp, if you run 8ohm speakers,  then the you suffer the low volume issue.    It's safe to operate vs using a 8ohm output amp to power 4 ohm speaker b/c the speakers can be blown out.

Bridging 4 ohm outs for a subwoofer results in a 2-ohm power signal at double the wattage to a 4 ohm speaker.

Not sure if any of this helps, but what are you trying to do, where ?

/Ken